We enjoyed a wonderful Summer Instrumental Concert on Tuesday as our P4-7 pupils showcased their talents across a variety of instruments.

Over the last two years, we have given all our upper primary pupils the opportunity to learn a musical instrument with visiting specialist instructors: ukulele in P5, drumming in P6 and guitar in P7. One of the benefits of this has been to give all our young people the valuable experience of practising for, and participating in, live musical performances.

The concert also featured our violin pupils from P4-7. All four year groups gave confident performances and it was great to see and hear the very evident progression from our P4 beginners all the way through to P7.

As well as groups, we also enjoyed two solo performances from two of our talented young musicians: Eloi (P5) on piano, and Jaco (P6) on cello.

Thanks very much to all our instrumental tutors who have given so much to so many of our young people this year: Mrs Prashanthi Hutton (violin), Mr Mischa Stevens (drumming) and Mr Oliver Ridgewell (guitar / ukulele). Best wishes in particular to Mr Ridgewell who will be leaving us in the summer to take up a position on a primary teaching course at the University of Edinburgh.

As always, there is much work that goes on behind the scenes to allow this kind of event to happen. Thanks are due to Mrs Watson for her administrative support in the office and on the night; to Mr Parkin and Mr Burt who helped with setting up the hall; and to Ms Craig, Mrs Nimbley and Miss Percival who provided backstage support for the concert. We also owe special thanks to Ms Morrison for taking the fantastic photographs which you can see on this blog!

Primary schools are busy places at the best of times, but particularly in June, and to have so many staff willing to help out demonstrates the great community ethos and super staff team which we have here at Preston Street.

Thanks, also, to all the parents and carers who attended the concert – and thanks for your generous donations which will be shared between the school fund and the CLIC Sargent charity.

Finally, thanks to our young people for putting on such an exciting and enjoyable performance!